Junior Sous Chef

O'Brien Recruitment; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

O'Brien Recruitment is seeking a hands-on Sous Chef to join a busy, upmarket kitchen in Cape Town. You will support the daily running of the kitchen, lead sections, and mentor junior chefs while maintaining exceptional quality and standards.

You'll manage stock, cost controls and guest dietary needs with a calm, solutions-focused approach. Flexibility for shifts, weekends and public holidays is essential to ensure seamless operations.

Qualifications

• A recognised culinary qualification, preferably NQF Level 4 or 5.
• A completed chef apprenticeship or equivalent practical culinary training.
• At least 2 to 3 years' experience in a similar role within a busy, upmarket hotel or restaurant.
• Strong culinary skills and a genuine passion for food.
• Previous experience supervising kitchen sections and mentoring junior chefs.
• Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, safety and kitchen operations.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence to delegate, motivate and lead by example.
• A calm, solutions-focused approach when the kitchen gets busy.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends and public holidays.

Responsibilities

• Support the Sous Chef in the daily running of a busy, high-quality kitchen.
• Lead and coordinate kitchen sections to ensure smooth, efficient service.
• Prepare and present consistently exceptional dishes.
• Mentor and develop junior chefs and trainees.
• Maintain outstanding food quality, hygiene and presentation standards.
• Manage stock levels, portion control and food costs.
• Promote teamwork, accountability and operational excellence.
• Handle special dietary requirements and guest requests with confidence.
• Support sustainable kitchen practices and minimise food waste.
• Step up to lead kitchen operations when required.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Team management

Mentoring junior chefs

Food hygiene

Organisational skills

Delegate and lead

Calm and solutions-focused

Shift flexibility

Education

Culinary qualification

Chef apprenticeship

Job description

The Opportunity Working alongside an experienced culinary leadership team, you'll play a key role in ensuring exceptional food quality, seamless kitchen operations and outstanding guest experiences. This is a hands‑on position for someone who loves being in the kitchen, enjoys developing others and is ready to take greater ownership of daily operations.

What You'll Be Doing

• Supporting the Sous Chef in the daily running of a busy, high-quality kitchen.
• Leading and coordinating kitchen sections to ensure smooth, efficient service.
• Preparing and presenting consistently exceptional dishes.
• Guiding, mentoring and developing junior chefs and trainees.
• Maintaining outstanding food quality, hygiene and presentation standards.
• Managing stock levels, portion control and food costs.
• Promoting teamwork, accountability and operational excellence.
• Handling special dietary requirements and guest requests with confidence.
• Supporting sustainable kitchen practices and minimising food waste.
• Stepping up to lead kitchen operations when required.

What We're Looking For

• A recognised culinary qualification, preferably NQF Level 4 or 5.
• A completed chef apprenticeship or equivalent practical culinary training.
• At least 2 to 3 years' experience in a similar role within a busy, upmarket hotel or restaurant.
• Strong culinary skills and a genuine passion for food.
• Previous experience supervising kitchen sections and mentoring junior chefs.
• Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, safety and kitchen operations.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence to delegate, motivate and lead by example.
• A calm, solutions‑focused approach when the kitchen gets busy.
• Flexibility to work shifts, weekends and public holidays.

Why This Opportunity?

You'll be joining a respected hospitality establishment known for its high standards, exceptional guest experiences and supportive working environment.

This is an opportunity to refine your craft, develop your leadership capabilities and grow alongside experienced culinary professionals who take pride in what they do.